Refrigerating apparatus



Sept. 17, 1929. c. L.. HEISLER REFRIGERATI'NG APPARATUS Filed April 22. 1927 Patented Sept. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES-L. HEISLER, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YLOR'K, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELEC- f TRIO COMPANY, A. CORPORATION F NEW YORK REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Application led April 22,

My invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and particularly to the cooling unit of refrigerating apparatus of that type especially adapted for domestic anse. It is an object of my invention to provide an improved cooling unit which in construction is simple andwell adapted for use in domestic refrigerating apparatus and is durable and efficient in operation.

My invention will be better understood from the following description taken in` connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims. l

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 represents in section a refrigerating apparatus having a cooling unit involving my invention; Fig. 2 is an elevation of the cooling unit partly in cross section; Figs. 3 and i show 2o respectively the upper and lower cooling coils of the cooling unit; Fig. 5 is a detail of the valve mechanism and F ig. 6 illustrates a modification.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing I have shown, by way of example, only a refrigerating apparatus of the domestic type comprising the box 1 having the compartment 2 for receiving food, etc., and the refrigerator cooling unit 3. Below the compartment 2 I have shown mechanism 4 for compressing and cooling the refrigerant. This mechanism may be of any desired construction and may be located above the compartment 2 instead of below it if desired.

Referring now to Fig. 2 thc-cooling unit 8 comprises an outer casing 5, preferably circular, and shown as formed of interlitting upper and lower members ,6 and 7 and an inner casing 8 preferably rectangular, the walls of which are spaced from the walls' of the outer casing. 'Ihe inner casing 8 is open to the exterior at one end at least and is adapted to receive material to be frozen or cooled to a lower temperature than exists outside of the cooling unit. I have shown for example trays 10in the inner casing which may be provided with partitions for the purpose of freezing ice cubes. I construct the bottom 11 of the outer casin to slope downward to a common point, the bottom being half turn. Similarl 1927. Serial No. 185,849.

illustrated as conical, whereby during the defrosting of the cooling unit the water will follow the slope and drip from a single point., A small shallow receptacle only is necessary to collect the drip and this I have shown at 12 mounted on the stud 13 below the apex of the cone. For draining the receptacle 12 I have shown the waste pipe 14 which may be arranged to connect with a sewer. Between the inner and outer casings of the cooling unit I arrange the evaporator comprising cooling elements 15 and 16 each` ing clement connect with the header 17 atl vertically spaced points. The two cooling elements preferably comprise substantially fiat horizontal coils, care being taken in their construction that pockets are not "formed that will collect gas and prevent free circulation of the liquid refrigerant therein. Upper coil 15 has formed therein a. riser 18, the lower end of which connects with the lower portion of the header through a 'material portion of the coil, shown as approximately one the/logtzvercoil 16 has a riser 19 by which 1t connects directly with the upper portion of the header. As a result of this construction the gas bubbles due to the evaporation of the refrigerant in the coils produce a rapid circulation of the refrigerant in the coils thereby greatly increasing the efficiency of the evaporator.

Another important feature in my cooling unit is the construction whereby the cooling eEect of the coils is concentrated on the inner casing enabling ice cubes for example to be frozen in ay much lshorter time than is usual with cooling units in apparatus of this type. I accomplish this in part by placmg the upper and lower-coils in good thermal connection with the respective upper and lower wallsof the inner casing 8, preferably in -actual contact therewith. In the space between the two casings I have shown a liquid 20, as for example brine or a mixture of glycerine and water, which acts as a heat reservoir and assists in thetransfer of heat to the coils. I have found that the cooling effect of the coils may be still further concentrated upon the inner casing by retarding the otherwise free circulation of the liquid relative tothe cooling coils. For this purpose I have shown a baffle 22 immersed in the liquid and supported close to each coil and at the side thereof opposite the inner casing. The extent and position of-thebaf- Hes relative to the cooling coils will be governed by the relative amounts of refrigeration desired in the inner receptacle 8 and in the main food chamber 2. If desired the baiiles'may be provided with openings to allow-a limited amount of circulation of the liquid 20 therethrough.'

In the header 17 I have shown a float 23 which connects through suitable lever mechanism with the valve 24, shown in detail in Fig. 5, for controlling the iiow of liquid refrigerant into the header through inlet pipe 25 and screen 26 to maintain a constant levelin the header. Outlet pipe 27 having an open upper end projects into the space above the level of the liquid refrigerant and connects with the intake of the compressor. The upper end of the pipe 27 is shown having a narrow slot 28 through which lubricating oil, shown on the surface of the liquid refrigerant, may escape slowly when the level thereof exceeds a certain height. Below theheader 17 I have shown a drip receptacle 29 which also connectswith the waste pipe 14. For supporting the cooling unit I have shown the top provided with loops 30 which may engage suitable hooks in the top of the chamber 2.

In the modification shown in Fig. 6 I have mounted the header within the coolingunit, the upper end only projecting out of the top, theconstruction otherwise being similar to that shown in Fig. 2, except of course that a separate drip receptacle is unnecessary.

I have chosen the particular embodiments described above as illustrative of my invention and it will beapparent that various other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention which modifications I aim to cover by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A refrigerator cooling unit comprising spaced inner and outer casings, said inner casing forming a receptacle adapted to receive material to be frozen, a liquid in the space between said casings, means for conducting refrigerant through said liquid and means immersed in said liquid tending to coniine'the liquid 'cooled by the refrigerant toward the walls of the inner casing.

2. A refrigerator cooling unit comprising an outer casing, an inner casing forming a receptacle adapted to receive material to be frozen, a liquid in the space between said casings, refrigerant conducting means in the an outer casing containing a liquid, a'n inner casing forming a receptacle adapted to receive material to be frozen, means arranged in the space between the casings and close to the inner casing for conveying liquid refrigerant and a baille arranged at the side of said means opposite said inner casing.

4. A refrigerator' cooling unit comprising an outer -casing adapted to contain a liquid, an inner casing forming a receptacle adapted to receive material to be frozen, a coil for refrigerant arranged between the casings and close to the inner casing, and a bailie for retarding the circulation of said liquid towar the Walls of the outer casing.

5. A refrigerator cooling unit' comprising an outer casing, an inner casing forming a receptacle for material to be frozen, a header containing liquid refrigerant and a substantially horizontal cooling coil having its ends connected at vertically spaced points with said header and arranged-between the casmgs.

6. A refrigerator cooling unit comprising an outer casing containing a liquid, an inner casing forming a receptacle for material to be frozen, a headercontaining liquid refrigerant, a substantially horizontal cooling coil having its ends connected at vertically spaced points with said header, said coil being arranged between said casings and in good thermal connection with a wall of the inner casing, and means for retarding the circulation of the liquid cooled by said coil.

7. A'refrigerator cooling unit comprising i llO 8. A refrigerator cooling unit comprising l an outer casing, an inner casing spaced there- 1n and forming a lreceptacle fir material to be frozen, a header, and a cooling coil having its ends connected with the header at spaced points, said header and cooling coil being arranged in the space between the inner and outer casings.-

9. A refrigerator cooling unit comprising a header, a substantially horizontal cooling coil comprising a plurality of loops, the ends of the coil being connected with the header atvertically spacedpoints thereof, and means iso for maintaining liquid refrigerant in the header at a level above both connections therewith of the cooling coil, whereby a rapid circulation of liquid refrigerant is induced in the coil.

10. A refrigerator cooling unit comprising a header, and a substantially horizontal cooling coil comprising a plurality of loops, the ends of the coil having connections with the header at vertically spaced points thereof7 said coil having a riser therein separated from the lower connection with the header by a material portion of the coil.

In Witness Whereot` I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of April, 1927.

CHARLES L. HEISLER. 

